Maldives Restaurants|South Malé Atoll, Maldives

Li Long

Name: Li Long
Telephone: 960-400-0300

Chinese Cuisine

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

Enter the moon gate entrance at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi’s Li Long, and you almost forget you are in the Maldives. The restaurant draws influences from Shanghainese noble residences. For example, as an homage to a Ming vase, a nearly 7-foot bell made of infused porcelain and wood hangs in the center of the high-ceilinged Chinese restaurant under a curved banquette. In addition, patterned cutout screens and large circular windows dot the space.

The modern Chinese fare also transports you. Li Long features à la carte and tasting menu options ranging from authentic dim sum to a succulent roasted duck made in the Maldives’ first wood-fired oven.

Despite the décor and menu, you are reminded of your location with the back wall of collapsible windows showcasing stunning ocean vistas and the property’s overwater villas in the distance. It makes the experience all the more memorable.

Our Inspector's Highlights

The Chinese restaurant’s specialties include hot pot, a communal meal where you cook ingredients in a pot of broth in the table’s center. Your group can order ginseng chicken, spicy mala beef or vegetarian stock; dan dan noodles or sweet potato vermicelli; a host of vegetables; and proteins ranging from Maldivian lobster to Australian lamb.
The roasted Peking duck is a must. A chef wheels a trolley over to your table, where he carves the duck tableside so you can stuff the perfectly cooked meat into thin pancakes with julienne cucumber and hoisin sauce.
Order from the well-curated dim sum selection, which includes chicken siu mai with black truffles, pan-fried turnip cake and pork xiao long bao (soup dumplings).
The most coveted seats are the handful on the wood terrace that floats above the water. Try to time your visit at sunset for the most dramatic scenery.
End your meal with one of the light and refreshing desserts, like mango sago pomelo, lemongrass jelly with lime sorbet or deep-fried banana with vanilla ice cream.

Things to Know

The dress code at Li Long is resort casual.
If you would like to enjoy hot pot, the Maldives restaurant requests you order it one day ahead of your meal.
Those traveling with a group or seeking some seclusion can reserve the private dining room with screen windows overlooking the lagoon.
Peruse the Chinese tea menu to find some rare blends to pair with your dinner.

Amenities